England's Anthony Gordon Calls Lionel Messi Greatest Player Ever After World Cup Semi-Final Loss

England forward Anthony Gordon has named Argentina captain Lionel Messi the greatest player of all time, saying this after England’s 2-1 World Cup semi‑final defeat to Argentina on Wednesday. Gordon, who scored England’s goal but saw it outweighed by Messi’s impact, revealed he recently transferred from Newcastle United to Barcelona and now plays alongside the Argentine star. "I have watched Messi influence games at Barcelona for years, and today I realized he is even better than I thought," Gordon said in his post‑match interview. "When you have someone like Messi on your team, everything becomes easier. He only needed a moment to change the game, and that is exactly what happened tonight."

The comment matters because it shows how elite players perceive greatness and may influence how fans view Messi’s legacy ahead of the final. It also highlights Gordon’s adjustment to life at Barcelona and his hope to help England secure a third‑place finish against France on Saturday.

Gordon will now aim to lead Thomas Tuchel’s side to victory in the third‑place match. For football followers, the exchange offers a chance to reflect on what makes a player truly great—individual brilliance, consistency, or the ability to elevate teammates. Will Gordon’s admiration for Messi motivate him to raise his own game, or will England’s focus remain on clinching a podium finish in Saturday’s clash?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/07/17/world-cup-englands-anthony-gordon-names-greatest-player-of-all-time/